Chance encounter gave 'Everyday Eddie' start

STOCKTON - Eddie Guardado happened upon a group of boys playing stickball at Oak Park.

Bob Highfill

STOCKTON - Eddie Guardado happened upon a group of boys playing stickball at Oak Park.

Then only 8 years old, he joined their game and learned from one of the boys that the neighborhood Little League baseball team needed players. Would he like to play?

"It was machine pitch, and I played and I loved it," Guardado said.

That chance encounter started Guardado's remarkable baseball career that budded at Northern Little League, continued at Franklin High and Delta College, and blossomed over 17 seasons in the major leagues. On Nov. 20 at the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet, Guardado will thank those who helped support his rise from growing up at Oak and Pilgrim streets in Stockton to "Everyday Eddie," the nickname he earned as a durable big-league relief pitcher.

"It's more than just me when it comes down to things like this," Guardado said.

"You just thank the people that have helped you along the way."

Guardado, 43, should have his induction speech memorized. In January, he was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, and in 2010, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Twins of All Time in a vote of Minneapolis-area journalists and Twins staff. Guardado spent the better part of 12 seasons with the Twins and had his greatest success with the club, saving an American League-best 45 games in 2002 and following up with 41 in 2003. He made the AL All-Star team both seasons and finished with 908 career appearances, 22nd most in major league history.

"The most important thing I'm truly proud of is I never forgot who I was or the person I am," Guardado said. "It's not about what I've done, but who I am. That's how I want to be remembered."

Guardado makes frequent trips to Stockton to visit friends and family and help support charities. Last week, he and his good friend, former major league second baseman and coach Dave Oliver, held their 14th annual bowling tournament to support the GO Foundation, which assists a variety of area causes. Guardado and his wife, Lisa, also run a foundation to help families dealing with austism, a disease that affects their daughter, Ava. The couple also has two sons - Niko and Jakob - and live in Tustin.